Scottie Pippen Was At The Lakers Game Watching His Son Scotty Jr. Making His NBA Debut In Pre-Season

Scottie Pippen went to watch Scotty Pippen Jr. play for the Lakers in pre-season.

Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports

View the original article to see embedded media.

The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of storylines surrounding them heading into the 2022-23 season. The team's construction is one, and the additions of Patrick Beverley and Dennis Schroder will be carefully analyzed. The decision to keep Russell Westbrook is the big one, with many Lakers fans wanting the team to cut their losses and trade him already if they wish to contend for the championship in the coming season. 

A storyline that has somewhat gone under the radar while still being significant though, is that Scotty Pippen Jr. is on the team on a two-way contract. Son of the legendary Scotty Pippen, the younger Scotty is 21 and hungry to make his mark in the NBA. And while he may not quite be as good as his father was, his superstar teammates and coach have only had good things to say about him this far. 

Pippen Jr. played in his first game for an NBA team in pre-season on Monday, appearing for the Lakers against the Sacramento Kings. Scotty had 4 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 15 minutes on the floor in what was a disappointing 30-point loss for the Lakers. And while his performance may not have been the best, perhaps it was the presence of his dad Scottie Pippen that threw him off a little. 

View the original article to see embedded media.

Pippen was in attendance to watch the game, and it's unlikely that he will have been too happy with what he saw. Both the Lakers and Pippen Jr. will have to show more moving forward to get people excited about them for next season.

---

Scottie Pippen is happy for his son Scotty Pippen Jr. As He Goes Into Pre-Season With The Lakers

Scottie Pippen spoke about the opportunity his son has received in a recent interview. And he sounds quite proud of the chance Pippen Jr. has created for himself. 

"I'm very proud of him," the 56-year-old tells PEOPLE. "As a father, I can't continue to lead or guide him on the court. At some point, I took my own wings and went and he will do the same.

"I tried to talk him through it his whole life, just teaching him the game and making him feel like that's the path you're on," the six-time NBA champion says. "You just teach him and hope for the blessing of God and a little luck and things falling in your way, but it's about preparing him for it and hoping and praying it happened."

The shadow of living up to his dad's accomplishments may never leave Scotty, but he has every chance to make his name in the league. The Lakers are hardly the best roster around at the moment, and he has plenty of superstars to play alongside and learn from. Watching his growth this season promises to be quite exciting.